Published: 2026-04-01

Recommends a major investment in research at Umeå University

NEWS From total defense to polar research and AI. The Swedish Research Council recommends that the government invest millions in three strategic research areas in which Umeå University is involved. “This is proof that Umeå University delivers excellent, world-class research,” says Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research at Umeå University.

Text: Johanna Fredriksson

The initiative on new Strategic Research Areas (SFOs) is a government programme designed to strengthen and distinguish Swedish research in an increasingly competitive international landscape. The initiative supports research environments that are expected to achieve the highest international standards and contribute to long-term scientific excellence.

Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

ImageHans Karlsson

At the end of last year, funding was announced for eight new Strategic Research Areas (SFOs). A total of 49 applications from higher education institutions across the country were submitted. International review panels have carried out an extensive evaluation process, and the Swedish Research Council has now recommended that the government provide additional support to 16 research environments. The final decision rests with the government.

Among the recommended environments is Umeå University as the main applicant for one – within the area ‘Crisis Preparedness and Total Defence’ – and as a partner institution for two others, in the areas of ‘Polar Research’ and ‘Health, Life Science and Artificial Intelligence’.

"This announcement is, of course, extremely important for our university. Most importantly, it provides Umeå University with the opportunity to develop and take part in these strong research areas," says Thomas Olofsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor.”

Umeå University involved in three SFOs

“Recommended research environments involving Umeå University.”

Crisis preparedness and total defense

Lead applicant university: Umeå University. ”Total defense in the High North: Building resilient societies under hybrid threat”.
Project leader: Niklas Eklund.
Participating HEI: Luleå University of Technology and Mid Sweden University.
Proposed amount: SEK 8 000 000 in 2027 and SEK 15 667 000 in 2028.
A total of nine applications were received for the area. Three applications were recommended.

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Polar research

Lead applicant university: Stockholm University*. ”Swedish Centre for Integrative Polar Research (SCIPolar)”.
Project leader: Martin Jakobsson.
Participating HEI: Umeå University, Luleå University of Technology, KTH and Lund University. Proposed amount: SEK 22 000 000 in 2027 and SEK 44 500 000 in 2028.
*Stockholm University and Umeå University applied jointly, but only one higher education institution could be listed on the application.
A total of two applications were received for the area. One application were recommended.

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Health, life sciences, and artificial intelligence

Lead applicant university: Stockholm University. ”Modelling Cell Membrane with AI”.
Project leader: David Drew.
Participating HEI: University of Gothenburg and Umeå University.
Proposed amount: SEK 9 600 000 in 2027 and SEK 19 200 000 in 2028.
A total of nine applications were received for the area. Three applications were recommended.

The full list is available on the Swedish Research Council’s website.